4 Ways to Bounce Back After You Don't Get Your Dream Job

Whether you are currently in college or a recent graduate, I think we all can attest to how stressful and disappointing the process of finding and securing a job can be. Today, one of the largest fears not only as a living member of society, but also and more specifically as a college student, is securing a job that can be both dependable and rewarding. Due to the fact that more people are seeking higher education, the job market is becoming more and more competitive, which is discouraging to students who are determined to gain full-time employment upon graduating.

There are several elements to take into consideration when job hunting such as the best sites to visit, creating online profiles, and cleaning up your image online. While it seems like just about everyone talks about the job hunting journey and the specifics of what to do before and during the interview process, no one really ever talks what to do when the outcome doesn’t turn out like you hoped it would.

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After the long and arduous process of polishing up your resume, cleaning up your social media profiles, relentlessly practicing and rehearsing interview answers, and finding the very best outfit to wear, I am burdened with the task of telling you that unfortunately, you didn’t get the job. Whether you see those words in an email or hear them in a phone call, they are absolutely soul-crushing. Sometimes some rejections are easier to cope with and understand more than others, while some just leave you questioning every little thing you said, gestured or done and what made you imperfect for the position.

Getting rejected and not getting the job you applied for can be disappointing and leave you discouraged about applying to other jobs altogether. While you may feel bummed about this, there are a few things you can do to boost your mood, gain your confidence back and increase your productivity. Are you a college student or recent graduate? Have you been looking and applying for jobs but haven’t had the best of luck? Looking for ways to cope with job rejection? Check out these four tips that will help you get back out there and keep hunting for your dream job!

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1. Take Your Time to Grieve: Just like any kind of rejection, it is definitely appropriate to take time to grieve what happened and the job you didn’t get. Go for a walk, hibernate in bed with Netflix, cry it out, order some take-out- do something that makes you feel better and gets your mind off the loss of the job you didn’t get. There’s nothing wrong with expressing your emotions and letting out any pent-up sadness or anger you may have about this rejection. Just don’t stay in this place of grief forever, do what you have to do and move on! You won’t do yourself any good being closed off and isolated from the world, especially the job world.

2. Give Thanks: In a negative mindset, this may seem like the very last thing you want to do, but trust me, it’s the right way to go. After you’ve grieved properly, consider sending a short thank you note or email to the person that interviewed you, thanking them for their consideration and time reviewing you as a potential candidate for a position with their company. This will not only make you feel better, but it will also make a lasting impression with your interviewer. Perhaps a new position will open up in the future, and guess who will be considered above everyone else? You!

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3. Remember Your Successes: When you get rejected and don’t get the job you wanted, it’s very easy (and human) to fall into a negative mindset and focus on everything that went wrong. Instead of doing this, get a piece of paper and some colorful pens and write out your many successes that brought you to the place you are now. Adrian Granzella of the Muse helps with this by reminding us, “No, you didn’t get the job. But before that, there were lots of things that went right. Right? Your resume, cover letter, or networking caught the eye of the hiring manager. You told great stories in the interview. You beat out other candidates to make it to the final round. Heck, you found your dream job in the first place!”

4. Respectfully Ask for Feedback: After not getting the job, one of the most pressing thoughts in our head is, “What went wrong?” In the thank you note/email, kindly make it known that you’d like some feedback. Granzella gives a perfect way of asking for feedback through this short and sweet statement- “If there’s anything I can do to improve my candidacy for similar positions, I’d value your thoughts.” This is the perfect way to ask for feedback while also being formal and expressing value in the opinion of the company/interviewer.

At some point in our lives, we will all face some kind of rejection in the job world. Unfortunately, there will come a time when there’s a candidate more experienced, fit, and appropriate for the position we are looking for. Despite this reality, we can easily bounce back and immerse ourselves in the job market again after caring for ourselves and figuring out where we need to improve. Just be persistent and focus on the positives. As always, good luck!